Police name Belfast double murder victims
Police have named the victims of a double murder in Belfast as Finbar McGrillen and Caron Smyth.
A 33-year-old man arrested in connection with the incident in the Ravenhill area in the south east of the city remains in police custody.
The man, who was detained on Saturday, can be held for up to three days.
The bodies of Mr McGrillen, 42, and Ms Smyth, 40, were discovered in a flat at Ravenhill Court on Friday afternoon.
Police said they believed the pair had been victims of a domestic-related incident.
They refused to identify the victims until today because not all of their next of kin had been informed.
Officers found their bodies in the living room of the flat.
They had been alerted by a member of the public who noticed the front door of the property had been badly damaged.
The exact causes of their deaths will not be confirmed until full post-mortem examinations are completed.
South Belfast DUP MLA Jimmy Spratt was among local politicians to extend their condolences.
“The local community is in shock and the news of these deaths so close to Christmas is devastating for the victims’ families and my thoughts and prayers are with them at this very sad time,” Mr Spratt said.
“If anyone has any information I would urge them to contact the PSNI immediately.”
SDLP MP for South Down Margaret Ritchie also expressed her sympathy to the family of the female victim, who she said had family in Drumaness.
“It was very distressing to hear the details of this double murder in east Belfast over the weekend,” Ms Ritchie said.
“The woman who was killed has family in Drumaness and I am speaking on behalf of the whole community. I am sure they will rally around and provide whatever support they can at this terrible time.
“Such a tragic loss is devastating at any time of the year, but it is even sadder so close to Christmas. My thoughts and prayers are with the family.”
Meanwhile, police are continuing to appeal for anyone with information to come forward.
